Storm brings flooding, lightning to Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO -- The storm is producing so much rain so quickly that many freeways, city streets and cars are flooded this morning. The roads are even worse than yesterday and the CHP is encouraging drivers to take it slow and don't brake suddenly to avoid hydroplaning.

An Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisory has been issued for the Bay Area this morning. A High Wind Advisory has been issued for the Bay Bridge and San Mateo Bridge. Also delays of more than three hours have been reported at SFO.

In San Francisco, crews removed multiple cars trapped in deep water near the southbound Hwy 101 Cesar Chavez off-ramp. The drivers all got out safely. One driver said it was like being in a flash flood. Heavy rains also caused significant flooding in the area 27th and Dolores Streets, with water rising all the way up to the wheel wells of several cars.

PHOTOS: Strong rain and winds hit the Bay Area

The storm is not only causing problems on the roads. It's also brought down the roof on a business in the Santa Cruz County town of Felton. The roof of a CVS pharmacy came crashing down on a counter. No employees or customer were injured.

"I can guarantee the store will be closed today. There's a pretty good amount of damage. The structural integrity of the roof is compromised. The building inspectors will need to come out and take a look at it," said Felton Fire Protection District Capt. Daniel Bonfante.

Fire officials believe the building, constructed in the 1970s, could not take the pressure of the consistent rain. Rain collected on the roof in the same area as the air condition and ventilation system, which all came crashing down.

The store will be closed today and anyone with who needs to have a prescription filled will be directed to the Scotts Valley and or Santa Cruz locations.

The storm is bringing a dangerous, yet spectacular lightning show to the Bay Area. Huge bolts have lit up the sky all night and morning. There were about 18 lightning strikes over a period of thirty minutes at one point last night.

RAW VIDEO: Watch lightning near Ocean Beach

Marin County had pretty much all it could handle from Tuesday's storm, but residents are dealing with even more moisture this morning. Heavy rain in Petaluma forced the closure overnight of southbound 101 at the Lakeville Highway off-ramp. At the height of the storm, there was four to six inches of standing water on the freeway. Lanes were re-opened earlier this morning.

VIDEO: North Bay deals with flooding, downed trees

The rain is also turning Corte Madera creek into a raging torrent. Business owners are keeping a close eye on it.

Send us your photos and video of the thunder and lightning. You can email them to uReport@kgo-tv.com or upload them here on our uReport page or directly through the ABC7 News and ABC7 Weather apps.

VIDEO: Current storm won't impact California drought

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